Multifunctional electric home appliance

ABSTRACT

An electrical mixer and knife combination appliance includes a pair of rotary chucks for releasably engaging mixer member shanks and a pair of oppositely reciprocating coupling channels for releasably engaging corresponding knife blade shanks, a motor, and transmissions connecting the motor to the chucks and coupling channels respectively to rotate and reciprocate these. Ejector slide rods register with the chucks and a gate is movable across the front of the channels and these are interconnected so as to be alternatively advanced to positions preventing the engagement of implements by the chucks or channel members. The drive motor is connected to a current source through a first manual switch in series with a switch closed by retraction of the slide rods and through a second manual switch in series with a switch closed with retraction of the gate.

United States Patent [72] Inventor [211 App]. No. [22] Filed [45] Patented [73] Assignee Nathan Fuchs Brooklyn, N.Y. 859,486

Sept. 19, 1969 Nov. 9, 197 1 New York, N.Y.

[54] MULTIFUNCTIONAL ELECTRIC HOME APPLIANCE 11 Claims, 13 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S.Cl

[5 l] Int. Cl.

[50] neworsZiliiIfIIlIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII Van Wyck International Corporation [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,607,232 8/1952 VonHaase 2,685,435 8/1954 Moore Primary Examiner-Benjamin Dobeck Att0rneyWilliam R. Liberman ABSTRACT: An electrical mixer and knife combination appliance includes a pair of rotary chucks for releasably engaging mixer member shanks and a pair of oppositely reciprocating coupling channels for releasably engaging corresponding knife blade shanks, a motor, and transmissions connecting the motor to the chucks and coupling channels respectively to rotate and reciprocate these. Ejector slide rods register with the chucks and a gate is movable across the front of the channels and these are interconnected so as to be alternatively advanced to positions preventing the engagement of implements by the chucks or channel members. The drive motor is connected to a current source through a first manual switch in series with a switch closed by retraction of the slide rods and through a second manual switch in series with a switch closed with retraction of the gate.

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ATTORNEY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to improvements in motor driven hand appliances and it relates particularly to an improved combination motor driven mixer and slicing device.

The structures and mechanism employed in portable motor driven hand mixers and slicing knives possess much in common. They employ similar motors and the handles and housings have similar requirements. Accordingly, separate motor driven hand mixers and slicing knives represent a major duplication of parts although the need to use these appliances at the same time is extremely rare. However, if the functions of a powered hand mixer and a powered slicing knife were combined in a common appliance they would present a great hazard for among other reasons that the use of the appliance in which both the mixers and knife were concurrently motivated is highly dangerous.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is a principal object of the present invention to provide an improved electrical appliance.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved multifunctional electrical appliance.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improved combination motor driven mixer and knife device.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved combination motor driven mixer and knife device provided with interlock or safety means to prevent the concurrent activation of the mixer and knife.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide an improved appliance of the above nature characterized by its reliability, ruggedness, versatility, safety and ease and convenience of use.

The above and other objects of the present invention will become apparent from a reading of the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment thereof.

In a sense, the present invention contemplates the provision of an electrical appliance comprising an electric motor, a plurality of coupling members releasably adapted to engage and motivate corresponding implements, means drive connecting said motor to said coupling members, and means responsive to the engagement of one of said coupling members by an implement for preventing the engagement of another of the coupling members by an implement. Another feature of the present invention resides in the provision in an electrical appliance of the above nature of a motor control network which is disabled in the absence of an implement in engagement with a respective motor driven implement coupling.

According to a preferred form of the improved appliance there is provided a pair of tubular rotatable chucks for 'releasably engaging the shanks of mixer or beater members and a pair of reciprocatable channel-shaped slide members for releasably engaging the shanks of associated knife blades. Ejector rods slideably register with the chuck and a gate is movable in a transverse path forwardly of the slide members, and these are intercoupled so that when the rods are in an eject position the gate is out of alignment with the slide membeis and when the gate member is in alignment with the slide members the rods are retracted from their eject position. The electric drive motor is connected to a source of current through a first manual switch connected in series with a switch which is closed when the gate is out of alignment with the slide members and through a second speed control manual switch connected in series with a switch which is closed when the eject rods are in their retracted positions.

In the improved appliance, it is impossible to couple both the mixer members and knife blades thereto at one time. Moreover with the coupling of the heaters or knife, corresponding motor control networks are actuated. Accordingly, a common drive, and body member may be safely employed for a motivating mixer or knife blade members.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an appliance embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view thereof with the associated mixer and knife members shown in a detached condition;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view thereof in the absence of a coupled implement;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 with the associated knife illustrated in a coupled condition;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view similar to FIG. 4 illustrated with the knife blade latch in an unlock position:

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 3 with an associated mixer member in a coupled condition;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line 77 in FIG. 4; FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line 88 in FIG. 4; FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line 9-9 in FIG. 4; FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along line 10I0 in FIG.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along line lI--ll in FIG.

FIG. 12 is a circuit diagram and fragmentary perspective view of the motor control network and mechanism illustrated with the knife in a coupled position; and

FIG. 13 is a view similar to FIG. 12 but illustrated with the mixer members in a coupled condition.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the present invention, reference number 10 generally designates the improved appliance which comprises a housing 11 which includes a pair of suitably shaped upper and lower shells 12 and 13 respectively, having mating peripheral edges and mutually separably secured in any suitable manner. Upper shell 12 is provided with an upper handle 14 spaced from the lower part of the shell by a finger-accommodating opening. Formed in top wall 16 of shell 12 forward of handle 14 is a transverse switch lever receiving transverse slot 17 and a pair of transversely spaced pushbutton receiving wells 18 and 19 for receiving a switch control button and ejector actuating element respectively, each well being provided with a centrally aperture bottom wall. A vertical slot 20 is formed in the vertical front wall 21 of shell 12 for the reception of the shanks of associated knife blades. A pair of transversely spaced apertures 22 are formed in the forward section of bottom wall 23 of shell I3 forreception of shanks of associated mixer members, apertures 22 being surrounded by depending lips. A socket 24 is located in a sidewall of housing 11 and has a pair of connector prongs 26 located therein for the reception of a mating connector plug of a power cord for connecting appliance 10 to a source of current.

Suitably supported in housing 10 is a variable speed electric drive motor M of known construction which includes a first input terminal T1 and a plurality of opposite second input terminals T2, the speed of motor M depending upon which of terminals T2 is connected to the current source. Connected to the body of motor M are a pair of transversely spaced forwardly projecting horizontal bracket arms 27 which terminate at their forward ends in depending vertical bearing sleeves 28 which are coaxial with apertures 22 and terminate at levels above the apertures.

Rotatably registering with and projecting above and below each sleeve 28 is a coaxial tubular chuck 29 having integrally formed at its upper end a centrally apertured coaxial worm gear 30 which is spaced from the upper face of sleeve 28 by a spacer washer 32. A lock ring 33 engages a peripheral grove in each chuck 29 directly below sleeve 28 to restrict the vertical movement of said chuck. A pair of diametrically opposed vertical grooves 34 is formed in the lower inside face of each chuck 29 and communicates with the lower end of the chuck by aligned corresponding vertical slots 36. A peripheral groove 37 is formed shortly above the bottom end of chuck 29 at the level of slots 36 and resilient lock rings 38 nest in grooves 37.

A pair of beater or mixer members 39 of known construction is releasably associated with appliance 19. Each mixer member includes mixer vanes or blades 48 mounted on a vertical shaft 41 which terminates at its top in a coupling shank 42 delineated at its bottom by a stop ring 43. Formed in shank 42 shortly above ring 43 is a pair of opposite curved ears 44. Mixer members 39 are coupled to chucks 29 merely by inserting shanks 43 into the bores of chucks 29, urging ears 43 above rings 38 which are spread and released with the passage of ears 43 and which releasably lock mixer members 39 in coupled drive position with chucks 29, ears 43 engaging grooves 34. A worm 46 suitably drive coupled to motor M extends longitudinally between and engages corresponding worm gears 30 to effect the rotary drive of chucks 29.

Mounted in housing 11 and spaced shortly rearwardly of front opening 20 and in longitudinally alignment therewith is a rectangular bearing collar 47 provided with laterally projecting upper ears 48. A pair of longitudinally extending similarly oppositely shaped complementary implement holders 49 is positioned in housing 11 with their forward ends in sliding engagement with collar 47. Each holder 49 includes a forward channel shaped section 50 with a vertical web 51 and inwardly directed upper and lower flanges 52 closely spaced to and at the level of the respective flanges of the opposite holder 49. A transverse wall 52 is formed across channel section 50 shortly forwardly of its trailing end. integrally formed with the trailing ends of channel sections 59 and directed rearwardly therefrom are outwardly offset transversely spaced followerdefining parallel plates 54 having vertical guide slots 56 formed therein.

A rectangular opening 57 is formed in each lower flange 52 and the adjacent area of web 51 forward of cross wall 53 to provide access to the holder channels. A latching member 58 is pivotally mounted on each holder 49 and includes a horizontal baseplate 59 underlying a bottom flange 52 forward of opening 57. Formed with the outer forward edge of baseplate 59 is an upwardly directed car 66 abutting the outer face of web 51 and rockably connected thereto by a pivot pin 61. Projecting upwardly from the rear edge of baseplate 59 is a transversely extending latching ear 63 which registers with opening 57 and projects into the channel of holder 49. An outwardly offset rearwardly projecting plate 64 is integrally formed and coplanar with baseplate 59. A hairpin spring 65 is supported by pin 61 and includes opposite legs engaging the underfaces of plate 64 and bottom flange 52 to urge latching car 63 resiliently to a raised lock position in engagement with opening 57.

Associated with appliance is a replacable knife assembly 66 of known construction which includes a pair of side-byside, mutually reciprocatable, knife blades 67 provided with rearwardly directed side-by-side tangs or shanks 68. Formed in the trailing bottom edge of each tang 68 is a notch 69. When knife 66 is in fully inserted engaged position in appliance 10, each tang 68 registers with the channel of a corresponding holder 49 with the notch 69 thereof registering with an opening 57 and releaseably engaged by a latching ear 63.

The drive for implement holders 49 includes a worm gear 70 mounted on a shaft 71 whose ends register with saddles formed in the underfaces of opposite ears 72 depending from arms 27 rearward of sleeves 28. Positioned on the side faces of gear 70 and integrally formed therewith are a pair of oppositely radially offset eccentric pins or discs 73 which engage slots 56 and whose diameters are approximately the widths of slots 56. Worm gear 70 is engaged by worm 46 so that rotation of worm 46 by motor M effects the opposite reciprocation of holders 49 and the knife blades 68 engaged thereby.

The mixer chuck and knife holder safety interlock assembly 75 comprises a U-shaped member formed of circular rod and including a transverse cross piece '74 and transversely spaced depending legs 76 which slideably engage corresponding axial bores 77 in chucks 29. Directed upwardly from and affixed to cross piece '74 is a pushrod 78 which projects through the opening in the base of well 19 and terminates in an enlarged pushbutton defining head 79 slideable in well 19. A helical compression spring 80 engages rod 78 and is entrapped between crosspiece 74 and the base of well 19 to urge crosspiece 74 and rods 76 downwardly resiliently.

Projecting forwardly from crosspiece 74 are a pair of transversely spaced horizontal arms 81 which terminate in depending legs 82 whose lower ends are in registry with plates 64 and disposed shortly above plates 64 when legs 82 are in their normal rest position and when legs 82 are in a fully depressed condition they engage plates 64 and retract latch ears 63 from their lock positions. Extending medially from a position between the upper parts of legs 82 to a point above and shortly forward of collar 47 is a lever 83. Opposite transverse pivots 84 are located intermediate the ends of lever 83 and are engaged by notches formed in the bottom edge of a pair of bracket plates 86 depending from shell top wall 16. A tension spring 87 extends between a pin on top wall 16 and an car on the forward part of lever 83 resiliently to swing lever 83 counter clockwise as viewed in FIG. 3. A crossbar 88 extends between the upper parts of legs 82 and engages the trailing underface of lever 83. A gate defining plate 89 is integrally formed with and depends from the leading end of lever 83 to a position between collar 47 and the front wall 21.

The motor control network comprises a multipole first switch S1 including an arm Sla adapted to be moved from an open position into engagement with a selected contact of a plurality of contacts Sllc which are connected to corresponding motor terminals T2. Switch S1 is mounted on shell top wall 16 and is provided with an actuating arm or finger 90 projecting through slot 17 and affixed to switch arm Sla.

A switch assembly S2 is suitably mounted on the underface of shell top wall 16 forward of well 18 and includes rearwardly directed resilient upper, intermediate and lower parallel contact arms S2a, 52b and S2c respective. A pushbutton 91 slideably registers with well 18 and is provided with a depending shank 92 projecting through the opening in the base of well 18 and terminating in an enlarged head 94 overlying the free end of contact arm S20. A helical compression spring 96 engaging shank 92 is entrapped between button 91 and the base of well 18 to urge button 91 to a raised position releasing switch arm 82a to an open position disengaged from arm S2b, depression of button 91 effecting the closing engagement between switch arms S211 and 82b. An upwardly directed boss 97 is mounted on interlock assembly arm 81 and underlies switch arm S2c so that the raising of arm 81 effects the closing engagement of switch contact arms 82!) and 82c and depression of arm 81 effects the mutual opening of these switch contact arms.

A third switch S3 operated by lever 83 includes a vertical metal leg 98 suitably secured by an integrally formed flange 99 to an ear 48, leg 98 extending upwardly along a side of collar 46. Leg 98 terminates at its top in a resilient upwardly inclined switch arm S3a extending across and beyond collar 46 and positioned directly below the forward end of lever 83 rearwardly of gate 89. A contact S3b overlies the free end of and is normally engaged by switch arm S311 and is mounted by an upright leg on the other car 48. Thus switch S3 is closed and opened with the raising and lowering respectively of gate 89.

Switch arm 81a is connected to switch arm 52!) and switch arm 52b is connected to one of the connector socket prongs 26 the other prong 26 being connected to motor terminal T1. Switch arm S20 is connected to switch contact 53b and switch arm 53a is connected to high-speed motor terminal T2.

Considering now the operation of the improved appliance 10, it is connected to a source of current by a power cord provided with a plug matching and engaging socket 24. To employ the appliance as a mixer the mixer members 39 are inserted into the sockets 29 and advanced until the cars 43 pass rings 38 and engage slots 34. The inserted mixer shanks 42 raise legs 76 and the ejector assembly, as seen in FIG. 6, thereby to raise ejector button 79, raise button 97 to close switch contact arms 82b and S2c, and swing lever 83 clockwise by the raising of cross piece 88 which results in the opening of switch S1 and the lowering of gate 89 to prevent the insertion of knife 66. The ejector assembly is maintained in its raised condition by the mixer member shanks 42 which are releasably locked in the coupled position by rings 38. As a result switch S1 is inserted in the motor control circuit and the motor may be energized and the speed of motor M and mixer members 39 controlled by the adjustment of arm 90. Mixer members 39 may be ejected merely by depressing ejector button 79, which urges pushrods 76 and mixer member shanks 42 downwardly, spreading rings 38 to permit the passage of cars 43 and the separation of mixer members 39. The ejector assembly is maintained in, its normal depressed position by spring 80 whereby switch contact arms 82b and S20 are open breaking the circuit containing switch S1, lever 83 is released by crosspiece 88 to swing counterclockwise to raise gate 89 and close switch S3 whereby to insert switch contact arms 82a and 82b into the motor control circuit.

Knife 66 may be coupled to appliance by inserting knife shanks 68 into holders 49, the inner bottom comers of shanks 68 being cammed so as to depress locking ears 63 downwardly with the insertion of shanks 68, and when notches 69 move into registry with apertures 57, ears 63 are spring-urged into engagement with notches 69 to lock knife 66 in its coupled position. The motor M is energized and knife 66 motivated by depressing button 91 to close contact switch arms S20 and 52b. When knife 66 is in its coupled position it prevents the clockwise rotation of lever 83 by reason of knife 66 being located in the path of gate 89 thereby preventing the raising of ejector rods 76 and the coupling of mixer members 39. Knife 66 is uncoupled by fully depressing button 79 so that arms 82 depress plates 64 to retract cars 63 and release knife shanks 68 whereupon knife 66 is withdrawn from appliance 10.

While there has been described and illustrated a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is apparent that numerous alterations, omissions and additions may be made without departing from the spirit thereof.

lclaim:

1. An electrical appliance comprising an electric motor, a pair of coupling members adapted to releasably separably supportingly engage and motivate corresponding implements, means drive-connecting said motor to said coupling members, and means responsive to the engagement of either one of said coupling members by an implement for inhibiting the engagement of the other of said coupling members by another imple ment.

2. The electrical appliance of claim 1 comprising manually actuatable first means for selectively connecting said motor to a source of current and second means responsive to the engagement and disengagement of one of said coupling members by an implement for respectively engaging and disengaging said first means.

3. The electrical appliance of claim 2 including manually operable third means for selectively connecting said motor to a source of current, and fourth means responsive to the engagement and disengagement of another of said coupling members by an implement for respectively engaging and dis engaging said third means.

4. The electrical appliance of claim 2 wherein said motor is a multispeed motor including a plurality of input terminals, said first means including a multipole switch including contact elements connected to respective motor terminals, an arm selectively engaging said contact element, and means for connecting said arm to said source of current.

5. The electrical appliance of claim 1 wherein one of said coupling members comprises a rotatable tubular chuck having inner and outer end openings, said drive connecting means comprises a gear transmission coupling said chuck to said motor, and said engagement inhibiting means comprises a slide rod projecting into said chuck through said inner end opening and being axially slideable between an advanced implement disengage position and a retracted implement engage position toward and away from said outer end opening respectivel 6. The electrical appliance of claim 1 wherein one of said coupling members comprises a longitudinally slideable channel member, said drive connecting means comprises a rotating to reciprocating motion translation mechanism connecting said motor to said channel member, and said engagement inhibiting means comprises a gate member movable between an advanced inhibiting position forward of and in longitudinal alignment with said channel member and a retracted position offset from alignment therewith.

7. The electrical appliance of claim 6 wherein one of said coupling members comprises a rotatable tubular chuck having inner and outer end openings and another of said coupling members comprises a longitudinally slideable channel member, said drive connecting means comprises a gear transmission coupling said chuck to said motor and a rotating to reciprocating motion translation mechanism connecting said motor to said channel member, and said engagement inhibiting means comprises a slide rod projecting into said chuck through said inner end opening and being axially slideable between an advanced implement disengage position and a retracted implement engage position toward and away from said outer end opening respectively, said slide rod and gate member being connected for concurrent movements toward opposite relative advanced and retracted positions.

8. The electrical appliance of claim 7 including latching means mounted on said channel member for releasably engag ing the shank of a knife blade and including a latch element normally urged to a lock position and movable to a release position, and means responsive to the advance of said slide rod for moving said latch element to a release position.

9. The electrical appliance of claim 7 comprising means for connecting said motor to a source of current including a normally closed switch and means responsive to the advance of said gate member for opening said switch.

10. The electrical appliance of claim 7 including latching means on said chuck for releasably locking the shank of an implement engaged by said chuck against axial movement, and manually operative means for advancing said slide rod to advance said shank out of locking engagement with said latching means.

11. An electrical appliance comprising an electric motor, a first coupling member adapted to releasably engage and motivate an implement, means drive-connecting said motor to said coupling member, first motor-energizing means including a first switch responsive to the engagement of said first coupling member by an implement for connecting said motor to a source of current, a second coupling member adapted to releasably engage and motivate an implement, means driveconnecting said motor to said second coupling member, and second motor energizing means including in series connection a manually operable switch and a switch responsive to the engagement of an implement by said second coupling member, Said first motor energizing means including a manually operable switch connected in series with said first switch.

I! i t 

1. An electrical appliance comprising an electric motor, a pair of coupling members adapted to releasably separably supportingly engage and motivate corresponding implements, means driveconnecting said motor to said coupling members, and means responsive to the engagement of either one of said coupling members by an implement for inhibiting the engagement of the other of said coupling members by another implement.
 2. The electrical appliance of claim 1 comprising manually actuatable first means for selectively connecting said motor to a source of current and second means responsive to the engagement and disengagement of one of said coupling members by an implement for respectively engaging and disengaging said first means.
 3. The electrical appliance of claim 2 including manually operable third means for selectively connecting said motor to a source of current, and fourth means responsive to the engagement and disengagement of another of said coupling members by an implement for respectively engaging and disengaging said third means.
 4. The electrical appliance of claim 2 wherein said motor is a multispeed motor including a plurality of input terminals, said first means including a multipole switch including contact elements connected to respective motor terminals, an arm selectively engaging said contact element, and means for connecting said arm to said source of current.
 5. The electrical appliance of claim 1 wherein one of said coupling members comprises a rotatable tubular chuck having inner and outer end openings, said drive connecting means comprises a gear transmission coupling said chuck to said motor, and said engagement inhibiting means comprises a slide rod projecting into said chuck through said inner end opening and being axially slideable between an advanced implement disengage position and a retracted implement engage position toward and away from said outer end opening respectively.
 6. The electrical appliance of claim 1 wherein one of said coupling members comprises a longitudinally slideable channel member, said drive connecting means comprises a rotating to reciprocating motion translation mechanism connecting said motor to said channel member, and said engagement inhibiting means comprises a gate member movable between an advanced inhibiting position forward of and in longitudinal alignment with said channel member and a retracted position offset from alignment therewith.
 7. The electrical appliance of claim 6 wherein one of said coupling members comprises a rotatable tubular chuck having inner and outer end openings and another of said coupling members comprises a longitudinally slideable channel member, said drive connecting means comprises a gear transmission coupling said chuck to said motor and a rotating to reciprocating motion translation mechanism connecting said motor to said channel member, and said engagement inhibiting means comprises a slide rod projecting into said chuck through said inner end opening and being axially slideable between an advanced implement disengage position and a retracted implement engage position toward and away from said outer end opening respectively, said slide rod and gate member being connected for concurrent movements toward opposite relative advanced and retracted positions.
 8. The electrical appliance of claim 7 including latching means mounted on said channel member for releasably engaging the shank of a knife blade and including a latch element normally urged to a lock position and movable to a release position, and means responsive to the advance of Said slide rod for moving said latch element to a release position.
 9. The electrical appliance of claim 7 comprising means for connecting said motor to a source of current including a normally closed switch and means responsive to the advance of said gate member for opening said switch.
 10. The electrical appliance of claim 7 including latching means on said chuck for releasably locking the shank of an implement engaged by said chuck against axial movement, and manually operative means for advancing said slide rod to advance said shank out of locking engagement with said latching means.
 11. An electrical appliance comprising an electric motor, a first coupling member adapted to releasably engage and motivate an implement, means drive-connecting said motor to said coupling member, first motor-energizing means including a first switch responsive to the engagement of said first coupling member by an implement for connecting said motor to a source of current, a second coupling member adapted to releasably engage and motivate an implement, means drive-connecting said motor to said second coupling member, and second motor energizing means including in series connection a manually operable switch and a switch responsive to the engagement of an implement by said second coupling member, said first motor energizing means including a manually operable switch connected in series with said first switch. 